For The Weekenders: Surfing in Santa Cruz, Luxury Racing in Texas, Absinthe in New York

Everything you typically expect during summer, especially in California….but how about a surf lodge that feels like a blast from the past, with a touch of class? Found in Santa Cruz, I’m talking about the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, a beachfront luxury hotel (and the only one at that) in California’s city of surfing.

Why yes, those two glasses are for us…let’s shuffle on over, shall we….?

Amenities included are enough to make anyone want to live here. Imagine starting your day off with waking up and walking out to a balcony with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay, as you snuggle up to your S.O. (or person you met the night before…this is a getaway, after all) to keep each other warm from the cool morning breeze. From there you get ready for the day and step into the shower, that’s fully equipped with a badass, super luxurious rainwater style shower head and wand, that makes you feel like those shampoo models on TV (because you’re worth it…go ahead, embrace that feminine side.)

Good morning, Santa Cruz.

From there, reach into your snack basket and mini fridge and grab a healthy snack and some sparkling mineral water while you wait for the hotel staff to bring up your in-room breakfast to the 10th floor…you’re going to need a big breakfast, because you’ve booked private surf lessons that make for an interesting date, and have plans to hit up the jacuzzi and outdoor spa after.

But let’s not stop there, no…you continue the day with the intent to get even further away from your usual techy side, turn your phone off, leave it in your room, and kick it old school by trying your hand at some classic board games and finally finish off your day with a pillow library…if this isn’t bliss, you’re not living enough.

After all that relaxing, you may want a bit of an adrenaline kick…well, let’s jet over to Texas for some luxury car racing at Texas Motor Speedway, one of the many spectacular spots to blow off some steam, burn some rubber, and get that adrenaline gland pumping…go ahead, you know you want to.

I’m sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of my own mind-blowing AWESOMENESS.

The place that supplies the concept of luxury automobiles and high speed race tracks for access to anyone who’s willing to pay? Exotic Driving Experience. They dominate in the area where luxury meets thrill.

The GT-R being my favorite car, I naturally, would suggest it first. Yet if you fancy something other than Japanese import, they also have a range of automobiles, including but not limited to the sleek, sexy Ferrari 458 Italia…the masculine, powerful Audi R8….or if you feel like emulating Daniel Craig as the best Bond to date, the refined, prestigious Aston Martin Virage…and so many more, each car’s MSRP being upward of $90,000.

Strapped with a radio-equipped helmet and your own trusty driving instructor, from there you can do what you do best and tear up the track, pupils dilated and hands gripping the steering wheel while your super car hugs the curves of the road as if drawing the outline of Scarlett Johansson‘s measurements.

Ready. Set. Go.

Alright, so after the relaxation, and the thrills, let’s say you wanna close off the weekend with a touch of class (as if it weren’t classy enough). So what do you do? You hop a plane once more, this time to New York. As you leave the airport, you think to yourself you don’t just want regular drinks to close off your weekend, but something different. Something refreshing…something….adventurous.

So what do you do…? Well, you make a phone call seeing what buddies – or attractive acquaintances – of yours are free for the evening, and make your way over to Maison Premiere for an Absinthe and seafood fest.

Absinthe….makes the heart grow fonder.

As you walk in, you’ll hear the sounds of choice, carefully selected jazz, catch site of historic style interior design, and a big, borderline ostentatious absinthe and cold water delivery tap with a miniature Napoleon statue atop. Though absinthe is the main center-piece, not everyone can handle it – so if you have friends that need something lighter, they also serve wine and various cocktails…which also brings us to the seafood options available.

I’ll take the shrimp…and the lobster.

Being (unfortunately) allergic to oysters, I appreciate the wide variety in seafood options they have, which ranges from succulent crab and lobster, to melt in your mouth red snapper and cod. Under very specific circumstances, you can book a reservation, or hold private events.

So when you start feeling the absinthe come on in waves, you can crack open the menu and order up a plate of Cod Brandade, followed by cheesecake for dessert which comes with marcona almond, chocolate ganache, and maldon salt.

Want a double serving of dessert and feel your buzz slowly fading after filling that stomach of yours? Well, then go for a dessert cocktail and request the Moveable Feast, consisting of bols genever, rum, cane syrup, absinthe, coffee liquor, and aromatic bitters.

If that’s not enough to satisfy your palette….well then you’re just not trying hard enough.